Dionne Warwick and Lynda Carter to Be Honored at the 2026 Angel Ball in New York

A star-studded night is heading to New York City to champion a crucial cause. Legendary hitmaker Dionne Warwick and *Wonder Woman* icon Lynda Carter are set to take center stage in the Big Apple as primary honorees for the 2026 Angel Ball. The high-profile celebration stands as the crown-jewel annual fundraiser for Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research. Alongside the two showbiz icons, jewelry designer Nicola “Coco” Verses—the force behind the VERSÉ brand—will also receive special honors during the soirée. The yearly black-tie gala was originally established by acclaimed songwriter Denise Rich, who hosts the event alongside her daughters, Daniella Rich Kilstock and Ilona Rich Schachter. The foundation carries a deeply personal legacy for the Rich family. Denise created the organization in loving memory of her daughter, Gabrielle Rich Aouad, who tragically lost her life to acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) at just 27 years old. Since its inception, the foundation has channeled millions into cutting-edge medical studies.

The 2026 edition of the charity gala is officially scheduled for Monday, October 19, taking over the glamorous Cipriani Wall Street venue in Lower Manhattan. The yearly gathering draws an elite crowd of music legends, Hollywood stars, fashion industry titans, and prominent philanthropists, all coming together to help fund vital research into blood cancers. Warwick’s honor arrives as the legendary vocalist continues to captivate multiple generations of fans through her massive discography and unforgettable viral personality. Carter similarly maintains her status as an enduring pop-culture figurehead following her classic television run as the DC Comics superheroine.

The program will be anchored by Grammy-nominated artist Deborah Cox, who is stepping up to emcee the high-energy evening. Musically, the night promises a showstopping performance from reggae superstar Shaggy, a two-time Grammy winner ready to deliver a memorable live set for gala attendees. The star power does not stop at the stage. The evening will feature additional high-profile attendees and speakers, including veteran television host Star Jones and leading medical expert Dr. Stephen D. Nimer. With a power-packed roster of honorees and entertainers, the upcoming gathering promises another major moment for a vital cause.